To bake (or not to bake)

While I was eagerly looking for an affable and affordable web designer and poring over old contacts looking for the equivalent in printing (oh yes my own cake box!), my dear hubby posed this question last night, "Dear, don't get me wrong, but are you doing this for interest or living?"

Ok there goes your money hun...

This started and has always been my interest but somehow I wished for something different or more. It was (and still is) fun baking for family and friends and friends of friends although sometimes alittle frustrating (when the cakes turned out wrong) and looking at the piles of mess to clear aftermath. The thing is I thought this would be the next step to take before jumping the wagon of aspiring baker/entrepreneurs.

So my dear hun, as with the famed book title,I also aim to bake, pray and hope that someone will love to eat it again and again!!! And yes, I do pray the 'little' investments made will go a long way...

Reinvent, Revitalise and Revamp!

After long (overdue) thoughts and consideration, I've decided to quit my job and focus on Heychocolat Bakeshop. For a start, Heychocolat will be focusing on what this blog first started out with: Darn Good Chocolate Cake and other chocolatey desserts - Feel Good Brownies and Triple Indulgence Cheesecake (I will upload the pics soon!).

Prices have also been adjusted due to rising ingredient costs! I'm really bad with pricing and prices weren't adjusted for the past 3 years. But for all Heychocolat Fans (Just Click Like on Heychocolat FB page), you will enjoy 10% off all purchases for the first 100 fans only (excluding delivery charges if any). Afternote: I'm also really bad with tech stuff and a scatterbrain so you may want to email me with your name and email address just to confirm! (For those who'd ordered from me before, you are auto-included as my fans already!)

As for starting my own bakery/cafe, plans are underway and to my surprise, my dad actually helped sourced for a shop space near my place and asked if I wanted to takeover but with the current constraints, I'll just have to take a step at a time before jumping to run my own.

For the time being, I'm currently on the look-out for a good web designer to create a new website so it's more organised (rather than the haphazard posts and pics thrown everywhere on this blog). Do email me - heychocolat@gmail.com if you're a web designer or if you know one.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Future plans

Oh yes, in case you're still wondering, I'm still around and when time permits, bakes an order or two.

There are moments of contemplation if I should continue (and up the price?), change the focus (cupcakes only?), or open a bakeshop/cafe?! But there are just too many factors to consider and to my mom, I should just focus on taking care of my kids till they are older but by then, I might as well be considering retirement!

???

2 Birthdays & A Wedding

Happy Birthday Shan!

Happy Birthday Cheryl!!

Congratulations to Yida & Talia!

This is the largest wedding cupcakes order to date!

Fridge-filled of cupcakes

closeup!



Final note...

Hi everyone, it's with much regrets (and pain as I type this on my tiny iPhone) that I'll not be able to continue/take in orders till further notice. Huge thanks to all you supporters out there for your kind compliments and support of my little website/home venture. It's been great knowing you all and that there are people (albeit a handful) who love my creations! You know who you are and with that, I thank you with all my heart and for helping me spread the word to your friends and relatives. I do hope I'll be able to continue my bakes soon but parenthood can be so consuming (yes it does suck the life out of you- oh that's another story).

Cheers,
Joanne

Ps: to all great mommies out there, happy mother's day in advance!

A few of the bakes this Xmas

Did a special edition of Darn Good Choc Cake with a layer of Hazelnut Praline Feulletine
& a newly designed logo *Xmas pressie courtesy of K*

Signatures Cupcakes w/flags

More Macarons - w/Feulletine, Ganache, Lemon &; Nutella

Besides getting busy with the bakes, we're also preparing for the arrival of our second child (sometime near CNY). Heychocolat Bakeshop will not be taking orders temporarily from FEB2011-MAR2011 with regrets (or till we figure out her/our daily routine) but do feel free to email us as we could perhaps squeeze in an order or 2.

Speaking of special requests, I've received emails requesting for fondant-theme cakes or cupcakes with fondant figurines. I've always shy away from fondant mainly because I don't bake something which I don't eat and also, they don't hold up well in our climate.

Recently, I've read online that certain brands of fondant and methods could preserve the fondant cake/figurines for longer periods. I decided to give it a try and trial-test a batch of fruit cupcakes before I commit to taking in orders and also, I'm in the mood for some play-doh!

Don't be fooled by these minis, it took me 4 hours  One WHOLE day to complete. Santa's topsy turvy hat already took half hour to complete. These batches were left to dry on the tabletop in the living room and the figurines still look good after 24 hours but you could see the fondant-covered cakes 'weeping' - still ok.

The next batches were stored covered in the fridge. It kept the shape well but condensation forms on the figurines and cakes (not to mention the color runs) as soon as they were removed from the fridge - bad.

Verdict: I will just stick to making fondant figurines instead of covering the whole cake w/fondant - personal palate issue and also the time/effort spent on a cake. The figurines will go on top of cakes last/on the delivery day itself.  If consumption is on a later date, best to remove the fondant pieces, wipe clean/dry and keep in airtight bags/boxes at room temperature before keeping the cupcakes separately in the fridge. This will keep both the cakes fresh and the fondant pieces intact.

(PS: Dear Readers, if you've ideas on handling fondant to share with us, we will be glad if you cld email us at heychocolat@gmail.com - Thank You and Enjoy this Festive Season!!!)

Here's wishing all a Blessed Xmas and a Prosperous New Year filled with Joy, Love & Happiness!!!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We're fully booked till Xmas! We are very grateful to all our supporters out there and we regret not being able to take in your orders for the time being till Jan 2011. Thank you all for your support once again!!!